Harvard, UPenn and MIT presidents testify before Congress about campus antisemitism

Pro-Palestine protesters descended on a congressional hearing dedicated to tackling antisemitism on college campuses today. 

The protesters remained outside the hearing, where the presidents of Ivy League schools Harvard, UPenn and MIT were being taken to task for their responses to anti-Semitic protests and incidents. 

Leaders from the three schools will be grilled by Republican lawmakers sitting on the House Committee on Education & the Workforce today. Jewish students from some of the schools will also testify.  

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx say the three presidents have failed to ensure the safety of Jewish students out of fear for upsetting their liberal student bodies, who are overwhelmingly anti-Israel. 

In her opening statements, Foxx slammed the schools' leaders, who she said lacked 'moral clarity'.

'Harvard was ground zero for antisemitism following October 7th attack.

'It is the single least tolerant school in the nation. UPenn was right behind them and MIT sits in the middle of the pack,' she fumed.

The schools' collective failure to condemn Hamas has triggered a donor vacuum where the generous Jewish alumni once stood. 

In addition to larger, mostly peaceful protests, there have been singular incidents of violence against Jewish students on some of the school campuses.

Republicans say the schools have not gone far enough in their condemnation of Hamas for fear of upsetting their liberal student bodies. 

'I want to ask them when they're going to get a spine and do what it is what they should be doing which is condemning terrorism and doing what they can to protect their students,' Foxx said last night in an appearance on Newsmax before Tuesday's hearing. 

Harvard President Dr. Claudine Gay, UPenn President Liz Magill and MIT President Sally Kornbluth will all be called to testify before the committee. 

The hearing will also include testimony from Dr. Pamela Nadell, Professor of History and Jewish Studies, American University. 

In November, more than 1,600 Harvard alumni threatened to withdraw donations in protest over the school's response to the protests. 

Foxx has been outspoken in her criticism of the schools and their approaches. 

'Antisemitism has no place in America, especially not on college campuses. Colleges and universities have become a breeding ground for radical ideology. 

'That fact has never been more evident as campus demonstrations in support of Hamas and other terrorist organizations erupt.

'Not only are these demonstrations morally reprehensible, but they also incite violence against Jewish students and staff. 

'The passage of this resolution is a good first step, but I can assure you, we will not stop here. 

'Soon the Committee will hold a hearing on combating antisemitism.

'I will continue to demand accountability for this kind of hateful and violent rhetoric,' she said earlier this month.